Indeed it was quite an experience. Thankfully the night shift manager knew what he was doing and all ended well.

When we tried to figure out if the GC balance was enough to cover the full amount, I went online to check the market rate, it seemed I would be short a pound or so. I have some 35 GBP with me from an Oyster refund of unused balance several years ago. So I said I could pay the shortfall with cash. He looked at the GBP I had in an envelope and told me all but a 2 pounds coin were not good anymore. Government retired the paper bills with plastic bills some 4 or 5 years ago. We actually were in London a year or two before Covid but never got to use any cash as everything could be paid with CC. I had no idea about the what happened. LOL.

The one pound coin also was replaced with a new design in 2 tones (an outside rim and a core). But the one and the only 2 pound coin is still in use. He felt that would be more than enough if there was a shortfall.

The night shift manager said Givex has its own rates but very close to VISA rate. He was right. I believe it exchanged at 1GBP to 1.19xx USD, almost no difference than what is on XC.com.